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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13. 1949
The Editorial Page—
Trouble In Greece
Our "non-intervention in politics" policy will be put to test soon in the Greek national election.
It's understandable that the American public shouldn't be particularly interested in an election some 5,000 miles distant. However, the facts indicate that our international prestige is due for a major jolt if our present "hands off" policy is continued.
The British have already realized the situation and have pulled out of the Populist camp. They advocate a coalition government composed of members of all non-totalitarian parties and are supporting a movement in this direction. Greek patriots, who are in strong sympathy with this plan, herald it as the only sound way to inject new blood into the political machinery. On the other hand, if undirected, Greek political sentiment might easily bring a "strong man" dictatorship to Athens.
for a major job is relatively simple. We are, through E.C.A., involuntarily supporting the Greek Populist party which is in power at the present. Through graft and mismanagement it has succeeded in funneling millions of American dollars into the pockets of its leaders while citizens of the bankrupt country remain starving. The similarities between this group and the late Chinese Nationalists are striking. It is conceivable that the outcome could be the same.
The Greek public has long been conscious of this plutocratic bureaucracy and active dissatisfaction is being revived by returning civil war veterans who are unwilling to share the passive lot of the people. These young men have become acquainted with American living standards by virtue of American military aid. They will not bear the economic burden which has been thrust upon the country by monopolistic interests. Paradoxically, Marxism, which they have been fighting since the end of the Nazi occupation, is violently opposed to privilege and monopoly. Where do Greek veterans stand?
When the Populist party came to power in 1946, fear of communism drove voters to the polls in support of the rightists. There is little doubt that the election was fairly staged. To Greeks, reaction was the lesser of two evils at the time. Since then, fascist exploitation and suppression have been thriving on American dollars.
This is where we come in. Political intervention, in the form of support of a coalition government, is needed as badly as recovery dollars in Greece. By helping the Greeks we would be helping ourselves to save face and a lot of taxpayers' money.
—Bill DeLay
Peekskill Patriots
It was a strange kind of "patriotism" demonstrated by those veterans who touched off the riot in Peekskill, N.Y., where Paul Robeson was scheduled to sing recently. Their conduct, inspired by an overzealous, misguided brand of "Americanism," sets a dangerous precedent.
Certainly most Americans have been dismayed at Robeson's conduct. He has prostituted his great talent to propagandize for a foreign power and political ideology which, given its way, would destroy the way of life under which Robeson has been able to gain recognition despite his political nonconformity.
But because this use of force and rowdyism to suppress unpopular beliefs is typical of communists and other undemocratic regimes we must now allow it in this country.
To attempt to break up Communist meetings by such means is to confess weakness and fear. It as much as admits that we dare not let Communists air their views freely because our own beliefs can't stand the competition. Of course, this is not the case.
The breaking up of the Robeson concert made friends for Robeson and for some of the things he stands for. People have a way of idolizing martyrs.
Thousands of people who disagree with Robeson's fondness for Russia recognize that much of what he says about America's treatment of Negroes is true. These people today differentiate between Robeson, the communist sympathizer, and Robeson, the critic of his country's race prejudice. In violating Robeson's rights as a citizen, entitled to free speech, the super-patriots may easily make converts to his side who will no longer differentiate between the Robeson who advocates communism, and the Robeson who speaks out against the persecution of his own people in their native land.
If the Communists plan revolution or treason, we have impartial laws and courts to deal with them. If present laws appear not to be enough, we can legislate new ones which will apply equally to everyone—to extremists on the right as well as on the left. But for any private organizations to take the law into their own hands is to spread the poison of disrespect for law and the rights of others that may someday set the stage for future excesses. —Wesley S. Sims
We've been using Gillette Thin blades for years, and not even once we have had the chance to rescue a millionaire's daughter.
"I was curious. . . I tasted it. . . Now I know why the coffee at certain campus cafes is in such demand at the biology labs."
We heard a radio announcer call a vocalist a "sophisticated singer of songs", the other day, and after all, songs are really pretty good things for singers to sing.
Dear Editor-
It was with surprise that I read Mary Louise Fischer's letter in the Kansan Tuesday about Dick Menuet's character. I was sorry that only one side was represented.
Traditions Committee Sir:
Being in Statewide Activities, we have worked closely with Menuet and the traditions committee, of which he is chairman. In our great reorganizational undertaking, we have found Dick neither "arbitrary" nor "threatening". Instead, his associations with us have been pleasing, cooperative and efficient. From the Statewide Activities point of view, we have nothing but compliments for him and his committee.
In the two and one half years I've known Dick Menuet, he has been found by me to be a trustworthy fellow of high character. I feel sure that if and when the time comes, he shall have a full explanation of these misunderstandings.
sincerely,
Spike Jones
Otis. J. Hill Business senior
Dear Editor:
Responding to a question about the Memorial association income from the Spike Jones show, it should be explained that the Spike Jones group was not performing on a benefit basis. That impression may have developed in the minds of some persons because the student memorial committee has in the past tried to obtain the services of nationally known entertainers for benefit performance.
The Jones show came on regular contract, the same that is used by local sponsors for other shows.
The association was not in a position to risk any of its money held in trust on a guarantee. The booking agency performed the useful functions not only of booking the Jones group and putting up the necessary guarantee, but of directing generally all local management.
The total sale of tickets was $6-643.50, of which federal and state taxes took $1,199.64.
The talent, that is, the Jones show, received 60 per cent of the first $5,000 and 65 per cent of all over that, after the tax was deducted. According to the contract, expenses of $411.75 were next deducted. Of the remainder, the booking firm took 75 per cent and the Memorial association received 25 per cent. That left the Memorial fund $435.
The only change made in the contract for this show, different from the regular form, was a stipulation written in, providing that if Spike Jones failed to appear for any reason, the booking firm would pay expenses which had been incurred locally in preparation for the show.
The Memorial association will continue to try to get some well known entertainer to do a benefit show. Such an arrangement is hard to make. Representatives of the entertainers advise that their clients have opportunities to do benefits several times a week.
Secretary of the Alumni association
Fred Ellsworth
Boss's Workers Sympathize
Memphis, Tenn.—(L,P)—A group of office girls watched out the window as a policeman placed a parking ticket under the windshield wiper of the boss's car. They hurriedly purchased a sympathy card for the other wiper.
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